Crave

(Credit: HP)

We've been hearing a lot of hype surrounding HP's new touch screen printer, the Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web, and finally got a unit into the CNET Labs for a full set of tests. It's HP's flagship printer and the first of its kind to allow wireless Web connectivity directly from the printer itself, courtesy of a large 4.33-inch LCD display. To kick off the launch, HP also debuted an App Studio for users to browse and download custom shortcuts and widgets for the printer.

Now that we've had a week to thoroughly review the HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web, we're feeling underwhelmed by the lack of overall features and usability. We ran into several snags during the testing process, on top of our disappointment at the lack of an autodocument feeder and the letter-size scanner bay. For example, the display feels dull to the touch and lacks the responsiveness that we've come to expect out of an interactive screen. We found ourselves struggling to firmly select an icon, which often resulted in misguided navigation. On top of that, many of the applications had a tendency to freeze up during our tests, requiring a sluggish restart time.

Our main issue with the printer is that the touch screen and app studio just don't offset the $400 price tag, especially when you can purchase a perfectly capable HP multifunction Photosmart for $270 that actually has physical buttons--as long as you're willing to sacrifice the gimmicky touch screen and app store. As it stands, the App Studio doesn't quite offer the functionality and ease of use that we expected. Each app, like Google Maps or USA Today, has its own submenu...with sub-submenus...with sub-sub-submenus, to the point where we started wondering why anyone would bother tapping 15 times on a 4-inch screen when an actual computer (with novel hardware like a keyboard, mouse, and large monitor) can't be too far away.

We even performed an anecdotal timed test to further prove how the app store and a touch screen without any hard buttons can overcomplicate an otherwise easy-to-use machine, but you'll have to read the review for the unsurprising results. One final note: HP has informed us that an SDK will soon be available for developers to make their own apps for the printer, which we hope will add more exciting and useful apps to the line-up, but judging from the poor reception to its desktop TouchSmart SDK, we're not holding our breath.

Check out our full review and video for the HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web.

Print, scan, and copy for $29. Do I need to say anything more?

(Credit: Dell)

Multifunction printers are insanely handy. No more running to Kinkos every time you need to...

Wait a minute. This sounds familiar. Oh, right, I wrote up an MFP last Wednesday. But that deal on the Epson Workforce 500 all-in-one photo printer is long gone. And anyway, there was a rebate involved. Blech! Ptooey!

No rebates this time. Dell has the V105 multifunction printer for just $29 shipped. (You may have to pony up a couple bucks for sales tax.)

As you might expect, this is a fairly bare-bones model--but remember that it's more than just a printer. It also scans and copies (in color or monochrome) via a letter-size flatbed.

The V105 supports one tricolor and one black ink cartridge (replacements sell for around $20 apiece). You can also swap in a photo cartridge for your matte/glossy needs. However, and this is important, only the tricolor cartridge comes in the box. You can print without the black cartridge, but you'll burn through ink that much faster.

Speaking of photos, the V105 can produce borderless prints up to 5x7 inches. There's also a one-touch photo copy feature (for easily duplicating 4x6-inch prints).

Unsurprisingly, this model doesn't fax, nor does it support any connections other than USB. (Cable not included; here's a six-footer for $1.02.) It has no memory-card slots and no LCD preview screen. And the bundled software is Windows-only.

Still, $29 for an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier? I haven't found any substantial reviews of this model, but if you have simple print/scan/copy needs, this is a pretty low-risk investment.

By the way, this deal ends tomorrow, September 3--and it could easily sell out before then--so I'd click fast.

Multifunction printers are insanely handy. No more running to Kinkos every time you need to make a few copies or send a fax. And right now, OfficeMax has an insanely good deal on the Epson Workforce 500 all-in-one: it's $59.99 shipped.

Now, I know the headline says $39.99, so what gives? If you're willing to sign up for a MaxPerks account (it's free), you'll get a rebate in the form of a $20 prepaid VISA card, which is more or less the same as cash.

This fully loaded multifunction printer can be yours for just $39.99 (after an automated rebate).

(Credit: Epson)

The Workforce 500 (which is new, not a refurb) features a 30-sheet auto document feeder, memory card slots for all the major formats, and a 2.5-inch color LCD for previewing photos before printing.

In addition to cranking out photos and documents, the Workforce can send and receive faxes and scan and copy anything that fits on its letter-size flatbed. It also comes with OCR software--a nice perk.

My favorite feature: individual ink tanks (one each for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). That cuts way down on ink waste, as you replace only those cartridges that need replacing.

The only missing ingredient is Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi connectivity. Alas, this model's USB only. (OfficeMax's product page mentions parallel as well, but that's a mistake. This isn't 1993.) See Epson's product page for full specs and details.

I haven't found many professional reviews of the Workforce 500, but the user reviews I've read have been mixed. The big complaint: The ink cartridges run out quickly.

Still, given that you're essentially getting a free multifunction printer for about the price of a set of cartridges, I think it's hard to argue with this deal. I may pick one up just so my kids can print and copy stuff.

See you in hell, USB cables! The Lexmark X6675 multifunction works over Wi-Fi.

(Credit: Buy.com)

Multifunction printers are insanely handy. You can make copies--color copies--without having to run to Kinko's. You can send faxes like it's 1995. You can scan documents for electronic storage. Oh, and you can print.

Indeed, the only thing better than a multifunction printer is a wireless multifunction printer, one you can stick in a corner, a closet, or wherever. Like, say, the Lexmark X6675, which Buy.com has for $85.99 shipped.

These are new units, not refurbs, and you don't have to monkey with any rebates. Nor do you need an Ethernet or USB cable (though it does support USB connections), as the X6675 works over Wi-Fi.

No mere entry-level all-in-one, the X6675 boasts some solid specs, including 25-page-per-minute black printing and 18-ppm color. It can print photos directly from a memory card and documents from a USB drive, and it can scan straight to the latter. It also features a 25-page auto document feeder for scanning and copying.

Unfortunately, the X6675 lacks an LCD for previewing photos and the like before printing. That's my only real complaint, as it reduces the unit's functionality as a standalone photo printer.

Still, you know how much I love wireless printers, and this would be pretty ideal for a home or small office. Nearly 30 users on Buy.com rated it 4.5 stars out of 5--a damn good average. The Lexmark lists for $150, so you're getting quite the deal.

This business-class multifunction printer cuts the cord with Wi-Fi.

(Credit: Buy.com)

It's a printer. It's a fax machine. It's a copier. It's a scanner. It's four, four, FOUR machines in one! And...wait for it...it's wireless, too! Yep, the Lexmark X6675 multifunction printer dispenses with pesky USB cables in favor of 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. Buy.com has the Lexmark X6675 for $91.99 shipped.

These are new units, not refurbs, and you don't have to mess around with any rebates. (If you do decide to go the USB route, however, it's BYO: cable not included.)

No mere entry-level all-in-one, the X6675 boasts some solid specs, including 25-page-per-minute black printing and 18-ppm color. It can print photos directly from a memory card and documents from a USB drive, and it can scan straight to the latter. It also features a 25-page auto document feeder for scanning and copying.

Unfortunately, the X6675 lacks an LCD for previewing photos and the like before printing. That's my only real complaint, as it reduces the unit's functionality as a standalone photo printer.

Still, you know how much I love wireless printers, and this would be pretty ideal for a home or small office. I haven't found many reviews of this particular model, though a pair of users on Buy.com gave it five stars.

Why have a separate printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine when you can get all of those devices in one machine? The multifunction printer is the next evolution of desktop companions that can do everything but say "you're welcome."

A solid all-in-one printer gives you the functionality of each part without sacrificing individual quality, and most of them actually seamlessly integrate with your work environment thanks to front-loading media card readers, built in 802.11 b/g print servers, and easy-to-use driver software. Take a look at a list of our favorite AIOs and decide for yourself, but whether you spend a little or a lot, a multifunctional printer is the most practical solution to organize your home office.

Check out our round-up of our favorite multifunctional printers.

There's an embarrassment of riches inside this compact case.

(Credit: HP)

The HP Pavilion s3500t is a sleek, ultracompact desktop that you can configure to your liking at Hewlett-Packard's online store. For an extremely limited time, HP is offering a $100 instant rebate on the s3500t or $400 off with coupon code DT1158. You can use the latter only when your config hits $999--but getting there is half the fun.

Starting with the base configuration, I selected Vista Home Premium 64-bit (!), the Intel E4700 processor, 4GB of RAM, the 256MB Nvidia video card with HDMI, and the Blu-ray player. To inch the total up to $999, I also added the HP 2.1 speakers with remote and HP multimedia keyboard with HP optical mouse. (Note: monitor not included.)

That, my friends, is a pretty killer load-out. I didn't even mention the 500GB hard drive that comes standard. Shipping is free, though you may have to pay sales tax.

If you're in the market for a powerful media-center PC, here's your chance to save some big bucks on a sleek, compact system. Note that you can't apply the coupon (which expires after 900 uses, so act fast!) until you get to the payment page.

Tuesday, Canon announced six new printers that are sure to appeal to a variety of users including small- to mid-size business professionals, photography enthusiasts, students, and creative hobbyists. This new release includes four new Pixma printers and two new Selphy compact photo printers. Let's take a closer look at the offerings:

Pixma iP3600

• $80
• 9600x2400 color dpi resolution
• Dual paper trays for plain and photo paper
• Five color individual ink cartridge bay
• Bundled with one ChromaLife100+ ink set and Easy-PhotoPrint EX software

Pixma iP4600

• $100
• 9600x2400 color dpi resolution
• Reported print speeds of up to 26 pages per minute for black, and up to 21 ppm for color
• Auto-duplexer with two separate paper trays
• Easy-PhotoPrint EX software includes Auto-Photo Fix for easy edits

Last week we showed you Epson's newest line of WorkForce printers, and this week Epson is back with another announcement: an "Artisan" series developed with the creative designer in mind. Unlike the WorkForce Series, the Artisan 700 and 800 are perfect for both household consumers and entrepreneurs that want a do-it-all printer that can perform multiple functions.

The Artisan 800 ($300) is the flagship model of the series with a comprehensive list of functions that include Wi-Fi, fax machine, copier with an Automatic Document Feeder, PictBridge support, and a dual paper tray to separate plain and photo-specific paper. Most intriguing is the huge 7.8-inch smart touch panel and accompanying 3.5-inch LCD with buttons that only light up the controls you need to perform a specific function. You can also do light editing right on the printer itself without the aid of external software.

The Artisan 700 ($200) is a slightly slimmed-down version of the 800 but still retains an array of features that will ease the creative consumer into printing, scanning, and copying documents and high-definition photographs. The 700 has the same "piano black" finish as the 800 and also uses the same six-color "Ultra Hi-Definition Claria" ink that delivers 1.5-picoliter size droplets for a more realistic and accurate print. The 700 and 800 both offer the ability to turn plain white paper into college, wide-ruled, or graphed school paper using software built into the driver that comes with the printer. Finally, Epson reports print rates at 38 color and black-and-white pages per minute, but we'll be sure to put that number to the test in our CNET Labs. Look for full reviews coming soon.

Both printers are backed by Epson's comprehensive two-year "Epson Preferred" warranty that includes toll-free telephone support and access to MyEpson.com, a site that has a number of tutorials designed to walk you through the various functions on the machine. Both printers will be available in September of this year.